Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore Collide in ‘The Substance’: A Gripping Tale of Beauty, Power, and Desperation

The Substance Review: Demi Moore’s Bold Return to Cinema in a Jaw-Dropping, Bloody Thriller

You’ve heard about The Substance, right? No? Well, let me tell you, if you’ve been craving something more than the usual Hollywood fare, you’re in for a wild ride. Now, before you dismiss this as just another body horror flick (yes, I know the genre isn't everyone's cup of tea), let’s get one thing straight: The Substance is so much more than that. It’s an unapologetic, gutsy exploration of society’s obsession with youth, beauty, and power—and it doesn’t hold back.

But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t just highlight the external pressures women face. Oh no, it digs deeper. It shines a glaring light on what we, as individuals, put ourselves through to live up to those impossible standards. Demi Moore’s portrayal of Elisabeth Sparkle—an aging fitness guru and Hollywood star—feels so raw, so vulnerable, that at times it’s like she’s pulling back the curtain on her own experiences. Remember when Moore admitted in an interview how she was once pressured to lose weight for roles? The layers of truth behind her performance here are hard to ignore.

Okay, let’s pause for a second. Have you ever found yourself looking in the mirror and questioning if you're "enough"? If your reflection doesn’t quite measure up to what the world wants? Yeah, I thought so. It’s something we’ve all grappled with at some point, right? The Substance forces us to confront those uncomfortable truths in a way that’s both entertaining and unsettling. You can't help but feel Elisabeth's desperation as she chases after her youth through a dangerous drug known only as—surprise, surprise—“The Substance.”

This isn’t just another superficial critique of vanity, though. What makes The Substance unique is how it intertwines these modern themes with classic storytelling elements. Have you ever read The Picture of Dorian Gray? If you have, you’ll see how this film echoes Wilde’s tale of someone making a pact to preserve their youth at any cost. Only here, instead of a mystical portrait, Elisabeth injects herself with a mysterious substance that gives her a chance to reclaim her younger self, embodied by the lively and seductive Sue (played by Margaret Qualley).

Now, let me ask you this: if you had the chance to reclaim your youth, would you take it? Of course, many would say yes, but what if there was a price—like, a really dark one? That’s where things start to spiral in The Substance. This isn’t just a simple transformation story; it’s about what happens when you become obsessed with holding onto something that’s naturally fleeting. And, just like in life, the consequences aren’t pretty.

Demi Moore delivers an absolutely powerhouse performance here, one that has already sparked buzz among critics and audiences alike. Sure, she’s had some iconic roles in the past (Ghost, anyone?), but there’s something different about her portrayal of Elisabeth Sparkle. It’s raw, emotional, and honestly, a bit terrifying. At 50, Elisabeth is on top of the world—or so it seems. She has a star on the Walk of Fame, a popular fitness empire, and the world at her feet. But here’s the twist: that fame, that power? It’s slipping. Fast. And when she’s cruelly fired by her repulsive boss Harvey (played by Dennis Quaid), it sets her on a desperate path to find something—anything—that will help her cling to her former glory.

But let’s talk about Margaret Qualley for a second. Have you seen her in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood or Maid? She’s been on the rise, but her role as Sue in The Substance pushes her acting chops to another level. Sue is a younger, more vibrant version of Elisabeth, but don’t think for a second that she’s just a carbon copy. As the movie unfolds, you start to see Sue develop an addiction of her own—an addiction to the attention and admiration she garners as Elisabeth’s rejuvenated self. It’s a brilliant reflection of the way we chase external validation, often at the expense of our well-being.

Speaking of addiction, the whole concept of “The Substance” feels eerily familiar in today’s world, doesn’t it? I mean, how many times have we seen society latch onto the latest health fads, miracle drugs, or cosmetic procedures, all in the name of looking younger or more attractive? The film’s fictional substance could easily be compared to real-world trends like Ozempic, or even the cosmetic procedures that have become so normalized in celebrity culture. It’s almost as if the movie is holding up a mirror to our own obsession with quick fixes. You’ve seen it, haven’t you? That endless barrage of anti-aging creams, fad diets, and plastic surgery trends promising to make you feel 10 years younger? The Substance taps into that very real, and very disturbing, aspect of modern life.

But, and here’s the key question: at what point does the pursuit of youth and beauty become self-destruction? Elisabeth’s transformation in The Substance is far from glamorous. In fact, the film quickly devolves into chaos and violence, culminating in a finale that is, quite literally, a bloodbath. And no, I’m not exaggerating. I won’t spoil too much, but let’s just say, by the end, you’ll be thinking twice about ever wishing to turn back the clock.

Coralie Fargeat, the film’s director, deserves a huge shoutout. This is only her second feature film (the first being the critically acclaimed Revenge), but the vision and message behind The Substance are crystal clear. Fargeat has talked openly about how the idea for the film came from her own experience with aging. As she entered her 40s, she realized just how much society devalues women as they get older. Those thoughts? They weren’t just personal—they were universal. And through Elisabeth and Sue’s journey, Fargeat captures that internal conflict that so many of us, especially women, face daily: the voice in your head that whispers, “You’re not good enough. You’re not young enough. You’re not beautiful enough.”

And that’s what makes this movie so powerful. It doesn’t just present these struggles—it forces you to confront them. You’ve heard these whispers, right? Maybe they’ve been louder at certain points in your life, quieter at others. But they’re there, in the background, fed by everything from Hollywood’s beauty standards to your Instagram feed. Elisabeth’s downward spiral in The Substance is a stark reminder of the lengths some people will go to silence those whispers, only to find themselves consumed by them.

So, would you watch The Substance? It’s not for the faint of heart, I’ll give you that. The gore alone might turn some viewers away (though, let’s be real, if you’ve seen The Thing or even Death Becomes Her, you’ll manage). But if you’re looking for a film that will make you think—really think—about our culture’s obsession with youth and beauty, then this is it. And if you’re a fan of films that don’t shy away from raw, uncomfortable truths, The Substance will leave an impression that lingers long after the credits roll.

Some critics argue that The Substance occasionally leans too heavily into its gory elements, distracting from its deeper themes of vanity and obsession. While Demi Moore’s performance as Elisabeth Sparkle has been praised, some felt the film could have delved further into her character's psychological transformation, rather than relying so much on shock value. Others have mentioned that the film’s pacing drags in parts, making the storyline feel stretched. Despite these criticisms, The Substance still offers a provocative exploration of beauty, power, and societal pressures.

What’s even more impressive is the way Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley bring such depth to their characters. They’re not just playing roles—they’re embodying the very real, very painful struggle for self-worth in a society that seems determined to erode it.

And let’s not forget, The Substance isn’t just a critique. It’s also a warning. Because, at the end of the day, no quick fix—no cream, no injection, no magic potion—can stop time. The real question is: can we find peace with that?